We have a very low maintenance lawn. It gets mowed (with a heavy duty weed wacker) a couple times a season. The rest of our "yard" (we own 33 acres of trees and rock on a south slope -- this is NOT "yard"!) is flower beds, including the area in the middle of the driveway turnaround. That's pretty low maintenance, too -- perennials, etc. -- planted specifically so it was less area to mow. The flower beds are seldom fertilized (except with compost), the "lawn" never. I did use a quick-to-break down weed killer in moderation a couple times when some burdock threatened to take over. Most weeds or annoying plants I pull or (in the case of thorn or blackberry bushes) cut into 6" pieces, remove as much of the roots as possible, and bag and put into the trash. My edible garden is mostly in pots on the deck. Some is in flower borders.

Besides wanting to do the best for the environment, we don't have the time to manicure lawns, etc. as some people think they have to. I like the natural look. I don't mind dandelions and other "weeds" cuz often I eat them. And my neighbors are too far away to worry about any seed proliferation.

Linn